Monday, 28 October 2013
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Language use in NME and Q Magazine.
Language Use
Q magazine's language is fairly formal and high register. Since it claims to be "The World's Greatest Music Magazine", the reader will purchase Q primarily for information on music. It comes across as compacted with information yet has a slight informal side to attract a wider audience - perhaps one interested in music artist related gossip stories.
Contrasting this, NME is much more low register. NME's magazines writing sometimes jokes with the reader, pointing out things the reader may the thinking. This will entice the audience as the magazine comes across as friendly yet still gives the reader all the information needed. The use of colloquial language (everyday speech) enables the reader to feel like they can relate to the writer. The contents page especially, includes a range of sentences which tell the reader that this magazine is both informative, and casually written. NME magazine puts across a humorous tone. This can be seen in the puff featured on the contents page, entitled "Shameless Plug!!!", the magazine's acknowledgement that they are featuring the puff to earn money along with the exaggerated use of exclamation marks makes this feature funny for the reader. It emphasises the magazine's attempt at forming a friendly bond with the reader.
I will use some of the sentence types seen within my research in my own magazine. These include:
Q magazine's language is fairly formal and high register. Since it claims to be "The World's Greatest Music Magazine", the reader will purchase Q primarily for information on music. It comes across as compacted with information yet has a slight informal side to attract a wider audience - perhaps one interested in music artist related gossip stories.
Contrasting this, NME is much more low register. NME's magazines writing sometimes jokes with the reader, pointing out things the reader may the thinking. This will entice the audience as the magazine comes across as friendly yet still gives the reader all the information needed. The use of colloquial language (everyday speech) enables the reader to feel like they can relate to the writer. The contents page especially, includes a range of sentences which tell the reader that this magazine is both informative, and casually written. NME magazine puts across a humorous tone. This can be seen in the puff featured on the contents page, entitled "Shameless Plug!!!", the magazine's acknowledgement that they are featuring the puff to earn money along with the exaggerated use of exclamation marks makes this feature funny for the reader. It emphasises the magazine's attempt at forming a friendly bond with the reader.
I will use some of the sentence types seen within my research in my own magazine. These include:
- Minor sentences and interrogatives - primarily used for contents titles to entice the reader.
- Punctuation use - the use of ellipsis to shorten sentences and to create an immediate impact.
Monday, 21 October 2013
Q Magazine
Front Cover Analysis
Masthead
The masthead bold and large. The "Q" logo is written in a serif font. Serif suggests an established brand which has been in existence for a long time. Q magazine combines this with Sans Serif which is more modern looking font. This combination tells the reader that Q is both a long running, established brand; as well as up to date and current. The masthead is combined with a red backgrounding. This helps it to stand out from the pale blue background of the central image, of which it would've been lost in front of otherwise.
Central Image
The central image is the centrepiece of the front cover. The subject (artist Jake Bugg) has been edited to overlap the masthead and the puff on the upper right hand side. This accentuates the central image to grab the reader's attention. Similarly, the artist is emphasised due to the plain backdrop. The pale blue background gives a clean, fresh appearance to an otherwise grungy, dark looking image.
Coverlines
The coverlines seem to frame the central image. The coverlines are in red, black, gold and white. These colours are used elsewhere in the front cover - in the masthead and central image.
Splash
The "Jake Bugg" splash frames and accentuates the guitar. The splash seems to be made up of a selection of different fonts.Its appearance is unusual and fun. This suggests that the artist's music is quirky and distinctive.
Layout
The layout of Q's front cover is very compacted with information. There is a range of coverlines, which also include quotes from the articles. The different elements are overlapped to create more space. This prevents the cover to look cluttered and overly busy.
Contents Page
The contents page features exaggerated page number references to make it clear to the reader where to find the pages they're interested in. The titles of the featured articles are short and direct. They each feature a more detailed explanation of the content of each article below. There page appears balanced due to the fairly even amount of images against text. The page is also unified due to the colours used in text and in images. Red is used heavily throughout Q magazine, and is shown in the contents page in large amount; header backgrounds as well as feature titles are coloured red. The images compliment the contents page through the use of colour. The lipstick on the image of the girl connects the page together. Similarly to the front cover, the large image in the contents page is also overlapping the "Contents" heading.
Layout wise, the contents page is put together in such a way that the large amount of text doesn't seem overwhelming. The block of images break up the features so they're easy to find. The features relating to the images are placed next to the images, and the bottom third of the page is designated to articles. The right hand side features a column containing reviews. This layout makes the mass information manageable and is simply laid out for the reader to find what they're looking for easily.
Double Page Spread
The double page spread contains a long interview with Jake Bugg. This is in fact the block part of a seven page feature on the artist. Q magazine's stable colour palette of black, white and red can be seen on these pages. This helps in unifying the magazine, creating house style and establishing brand identity.
The text is set in a simple sans serif font and columned for legibility. It also features drop caps and pull quotes. This makes the article feel familiar as these are staple features of magazine articles. Unlike some double page spreads, this article does not feature an image which fills one or both pages. More traditionally, Q has put images alongside the article. One aspect I find interesting in this article is the way that the text its around the pull quote. This brings the pull quote forwards from out of the article and draws the readers eye towards it. It is an efficient use of space rather than columnising the writing in a simple square shape. This technique, much like the clever use of bordering around the pull quote connotes the type of artist which the article is based on. It tells the reader that the artist is young and playful.
NME
Front Cover Analysis
Masthead
The font of the masthead is in a bold, capitalised white typeface which is combined with a red backgrounding. The use of white and red is a consistent colour combination used throughout the magazine, creating a strong sense of familiarity and unity within the magazine's brand identity. Rather than being typically centralised the masthead for NME magazine is positioned at the upper left hand side of the cover. This connotes a more casual, friendly format - much like the masthead is addressing the reader in letter form.
The masthead font is simple and plain. It is not particularly onomatopoeic of the magazine's genre, which implies that the magazine and it's featured articles are intended for a mainstream audience; a range of musical genres intended for a diverse audience gender and age wise.
The colour use of NME's masthead is white. Connotations of this include clarity and freshness. This simple masthead design compliments the magazine's busy covers which typically feature a vibrant, dynamic image. The font colour of the masthead is white in this issue of NME which compliments the central image. White is used throughout the cover within the central image as well as the font colours used in the coverlines.
Masthead
The font of the masthead is in a bold, capitalised white typeface which is combined with a red backgrounding. The use of white and red is a consistent colour combination used throughout the magazine, creating a strong sense of familiarity and unity within the magazine's brand identity. Rather than being typically centralised the masthead for NME magazine is positioned at the upper left hand side of the cover. This connotes a more casual, friendly format - much like the masthead is addressing the reader in letter form.
The masthead font is simple and plain. It is not particularly onomatopoeic of the magazine's genre, which implies that the magazine and it's featured articles are intended for a mainstream audience; a range of musical genres intended for a diverse audience gender and age wise.
The colour use of NME's masthead is white. Connotations of this include clarity and freshness. This simple masthead design compliments the magazine's busy covers which typically feature a vibrant, dynamic image. The font colour of the masthead is white in this issue of NME which compliments the central image. White is used throughout the cover within the central image as well as the font colours used in the coverlines.
Central Image
The central image is onomatopoeic of Arcade Fire’s music,
which is described as ‘hypnotic’ in the cover’s tagline. The simplicity of the
central image is balanced out with the dynamic colour scheme. The colours used
in the central image compliment the colours used in the captions and their
backgrounds. The central images background is a spectrum of colours. The
yellows, whites and reds used in the cover’s text is complimented and unified
through these colours also being used in the central image.
Coverlines
The NME cover is minimalist in design. It is simple and does
not include enticing coverlines which you would expect to see. The cover
gives the names of featured artists;
Arctic Monkeys, Bradley Wiggins, Warpaint and Tame Impala. The lack of
coverlines implies that this magazine does not particularly sell its articles,
as its target market will buy the magazine purely for the music they know it
features. Aside from a brief list of featured artists, the covers text is based
around the featured artist Arcade Fire. It includes the central image being of
the band, their album’s name and a quote from a band member. This will tell the
reader that the magazine will feature in detail a main article on this band.
Splash
The splash on the cover of NME is simply the bands name. It
overlaps the central image which makes it a statement, along with the fact that
it is backgrounded in white; a bright colour used to draw your eye to the text.
The white and red used tie in with the whites of the faces, as well as being
the main colours in NME’s cover palette, used to help create brand identity.
Layout
The layout of this magazine cover is simple and minimalistic. There are no puffs and a minimal amount of headlines. This creates an overall image of an extremely artistic cover. It is aesthetically pleasing because of it's simplicity, yet lacks information to draw readers in.
Contents Page
The contents page includes exaggerated page references make it easy for readers to quickly find an article they're interested in. In contrast to the extremely simple and empty front cover, NME's contents page is filled with information. In the bottom right hand side of the page, there is a puff which would usually be seen on the front cover. The coverlines have been placed in the contents page rather than the front cover. At the top right there are some main features, as well as images to indicate important articles.
The contents page is extremely filled which suggests that the magazine is rich in a number and variety of articles. There is a simple colour palette being used; black, white and red. The use of these colours helps to bring to light a brand identity and house style. This colour scheme is used throughout NME, which gives the magazine a wholesome, unified appearance. Black and white contrast dramatically, and combined with red, give the magazine simple yet bright, attention grabbing aesthetics.
Double Page Spread
The double page spread of NME is based on the band Tame Impala and is very dependent on the central image. The layout; much like the front cover is very minimalistic. The image spreads across both pages - not leaving it restricted to one page is effective in emphasising the band. This article brings to light the importance of font size. The alteration in font size is important in helping to guide the readers eye around the page. Your eye is first drawn to the large title, next to the information on the left page and finally to the mass of the article on the right page. The article follows many of the conventions of the typical magazine article; drop caps, large titles and an introductory piece of writing before the article itself.
The layout of this magazine cover is simple and minimalistic. There are no puffs and a minimal amount of headlines. This creates an overall image of an extremely artistic cover. It is aesthetically pleasing because of it's simplicity, yet lacks information to draw readers in.
Contents Page
The contents page includes exaggerated page references make it easy for readers to quickly find an article they're interested in. In contrast to the extremely simple and empty front cover, NME's contents page is filled with information. In the bottom right hand side of the page, there is a puff which would usually be seen on the front cover. The coverlines have been placed in the contents page rather than the front cover. At the top right there are some main features, as well as images to indicate important articles.
The contents page is extremely filled which suggests that the magazine is rich in a number and variety of articles. There is a simple colour palette being used; black, white and red. The use of these colours helps to bring to light a brand identity and house style. This colour scheme is used throughout NME, which gives the magazine a wholesome, unified appearance. Black and white contrast dramatically, and combined with red, give the magazine simple yet bright, attention grabbing aesthetics.
Double Page Spread
The double page spread of NME is based on the band Tame Impala and is very dependent on the central image. The layout; much like the front cover is very minimalistic. The image spreads across both pages - not leaving it restricted to one page is effective in emphasising the band. This article brings to light the importance of font size. The alteration in font size is important in helping to guide the readers eye around the page. Your eye is first drawn to the large title, next to the information on the left page and finally to the mass of the article on the right page. The article follows many of the conventions of the typical magazine article; drop caps, large titles and an introductory piece of writing before the article itself.
Friday, 18 October 2013
Research and Planning: Moodboard of Images
Initial Research
I have compiled a range of front covers from music magazines available to buy to get a clearer idea of some of the staple ingredients which feature on them.
I have compiled a range of front covers from music magazines available to buy to get a clearer idea of some of the staple ingredients which feature on them.
Institution Research: Rolling Stone Magazine
Institution Research: Rolling Stone Magazine
An
introduction
Rolling Stone is a magazine which focuses on music news,
movies and TV, politics and reviews. The first issue of Rolling Stone went on sale on the 9th November 1967, and
has released new issues every 2 weeks since. The magazine itself suffered a reoccurring
lack of interest until its newly controversial and more interesting headlines
by new journalists of the company (Michael Hastings and Matt Taibbi) helped
the magazine to become universally successful in the late 2000s.
Content
Rolling Stone
heavily features music from the 1960s and 70s. This has been harshly criticized
by some reviewers, calling Rolling Stone’s
content “unrepentant rockist fogeyism”. Nevertheless, in the very first
issue of the magazine, Wenner wrote that Rolling Stone “is not just about the
music, but about the things and attitudes that music embraces.”
As well as classic
rock music featuring in Rolling Stone, a varied range of artists from different
and more up-to-date genres are heavily featured. A-List artists such as hip-hop
artist Jay Z, and pop/country artist Taylor Swift are just a few of the
recognizable faces seen on some of Rolling Stones latest covers. As well as
music, Rolling Stone features articles on politics, music, movies and TV,
interviews and reviews.
The
publishing institution
The magazine is
published and owned by Wenner Media LLC (Limited Liability Company). The
magazine itself was founded and published by Gleason and Wenner in San Francisco, in 1967. Wenner himself got
the magazine off the ground by borrowing money from family members. His company
also owns Men’s Journal and Us Weekly magazines.
The Reader
Profile
The
stereotypical reader of Rolling Stone magazine would most likely have a varied
interest in music, probably being a fan of the headline acts in the pop
industry today, as well as up and coming artists, and stars from past eras. The
typical reader would probably have a fair amount of disposable income, as the
magazine currently costs £5.19 in the UK.
Layout
trademarks of the magazine
A staple
trademark of the Rolling Stone magazine is the colour scheme used on each
cover. Each cover includes the logo which in almost every issue is coloured
red, along with a statement white background. Red and white seem to be the
trademark colour scheme for this magazine. Another trademark of the magazine’s
cover is the way in which they include a strong use of central image –
primarily the magazine will feature an interview of this artist. The central
image in most issues overlaps the name of the magazine, giving the cover a
sense of depth.
 |
| Rihanna on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, February 2013 |
Monday, 14 October 2013
Initial Ideas
Initial Ideas
My music magazine's sub-genre will be primarily based on the genre of indie rock and indie pop music. My magazine will include more well-known, mainstream indie bands to headline the magazine to entice the audience, as well as feature up and coming indie artists.
My magazine will appeal to both a mainstream audience due to the more well-known artists, as well as a niche audience interested in being some of the first to find out about up and coming artists within the indie music sub-genre.
I have found it difficult to find any magazines on sale focusing on the sub-genre of indie music, although some magazines feature more well-known indie artists, aimed at a mainstream audience.
My music magazine's sub-genre will be primarily based on the genre of indie rock and indie pop music. My magazine will include more well-known, mainstream indie bands to headline the magazine to entice the audience, as well as feature up and coming indie artists.
My magazine will appeal to both a mainstream audience due to the more well-known artists, as well as a niche audience interested in being some of the first to find out about up and coming artists within the indie music sub-genre.
I have found it difficult to find any magazines on sale focusing on the sub-genre of indie music, although some magazines feature more well-known indie artists, aimed at a mainstream audience.
 |
| UK indie rock band Foals |
 |
| UK indie pop artist Foxes (Louisa Rose Allen) |
Introduction to Main Task & Action Plan
Main Task
The main task for the course is to create the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine. It will include original text and photographs, all of which will be produced by myself.
Action Plan
Week 1:
I will begin by posting my initial ideas for the music magazine. This will be done by completing research and analysis on two front covers of music magazines within my chosen genre/sub-genre already on the market. I will post institution research along with an analysis of two music magazine covers from my chosen sub-genre.
Week 2:
I will continue to research into magazines on my chosen sub-genre of music, by researching and analysing contents pages and double page spreads from two different magazines. I will then go on to develop a pitch, along with further research into my sub-genre.
Week 3:
I will develop and complete my pitch and complete any other research into my chosen sub-genre.
Week 4:
After developing my pitch, I will present it to a group of people fitting the target audience of my magazine, and document their feedback. In response to the audience's feedback, I will complete mock-ups of magazine pages.I will plan for the production of my magazine by producing a "style sheet" reflecting the brand identity and house style of my music magazine. After this, I will plan and organise models, locations and props which I will need in order for the photoshoot process. I will record the processes as I go.
Week 5:
I will spend this week developing my front cover. I will experiment with layout, colour, font, language and a range of photos.
Week 6:
I will develop my front cover further, and continue to experiment with all the elements. After receiving feedback on my cover's progress, I will make some adjustments.
Week 7:
I will design and develop my contents page. I will experiment with layout, colour, font, language and photos. I will record audience feedback and in response to this, I will make some adjustments to the magazine's design.
Week 8 & 9:
I will design and develop my double page spread. I will do some experimentation with layout, colour, font, language and photos. After receiving audience feedback, I will make appropriate adjustments.
Week 10, 11 & 12:
I will finalize the design of the front cover, contents page and double page spread. I will begin to draft an evaluation of my magazine. I will write up my evaluation and make adjustments to it.
Week 13 & 14:
I will complete my evaluation and make a final blog check before posting the evaluation.
The main task for the course is to create the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine. It will include original text and photographs, all of which will be produced by myself.
Action Plan
Week 1:
I will begin by posting my initial ideas for the music magazine. This will be done by completing research and analysis on two front covers of music magazines within my chosen genre/sub-genre already on the market. I will post institution research along with an analysis of two music magazine covers from my chosen sub-genre.
Week 2:
I will continue to research into magazines on my chosen sub-genre of music, by researching and analysing contents pages and double page spreads from two different magazines. I will then go on to develop a pitch, along with further research into my sub-genre.
Week 3:
I will develop and complete my pitch and complete any other research into my chosen sub-genre.
Week 4:
After developing my pitch, I will present it to a group of people fitting the target audience of my magazine, and document their feedback. In response to the audience's feedback, I will complete mock-ups of magazine pages.I will plan for the production of my magazine by producing a "style sheet" reflecting the brand identity and house style of my music magazine. After this, I will plan and organise models, locations and props which I will need in order for the photoshoot process. I will record the processes as I go.
Week 5:
I will spend this week developing my front cover. I will experiment with layout, colour, font, language and a range of photos.
Week 6:
I will develop my front cover further, and continue to experiment with all the elements. After receiving feedback on my cover's progress, I will make some adjustments.
Week 7:
I will design and develop my contents page. I will experiment with layout, colour, font, language and photos. I will record audience feedback and in response to this, I will make some adjustments to the magazine's design.
Week 8 & 9:
I will design and develop my double page spread. I will do some experimentation with layout, colour, font, language and photos. After receiving audience feedback, I will make appropriate adjustments.
Week 10, 11 & 12:
I will finalize the design of the front cover, contents page and double page spread. I will begin to draft an evaluation of my magazine. I will write up my evaluation and make adjustments to it.
Week 13 & 14:
I will complete my evaluation and make a final blog check before posting the evaluation.
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
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